INTACH Nagaland to host three-day ‘North East Festival of Rice’

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Nagaland Chapter, is set to organise a three-day North East Festival of Rice – “Grains of Heritage”, from February 26 to 28 at Agri Expo, Chümoukedima, bringing together participants from across the North Eastern states to celebrate the region’s shared rice heritage.
Addressing a press conference here at Angh Hall on Wednesday, INTACH Nagaland Chapter Convener, Sentila T Yanger, informed that the concept of the festival was first conceived in 2019 but was kept on hold due to COVID-19 pandemic, and revived in 2025. She added that the festival aims to unite the North Eastern states under a common cultural thread, rice, the region’s staple food.
“This is a never-before initiative to celebrate rice as a shared heritage of the Northeast” she said, adding that the event seeks to highlight cultural, agricultural, and culinary significance of rice across communities.
She added that the festival will feature exhibition of indigenous rice varieties from across the North East States, in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). She also added that Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) from various states will be displaying traditional rice varieties and related research.
Yanger further added that a two-day seminar would deliberate on critical issues affecting rice cultivation, including climate change, conservation of heirloom seeds, and debates surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops, while experts and resource persons from rice research institutes across the country are expected to participate.
She also added that over 150 farmers are expected to attend the seminar sessions, including 80 farmers mobilised through KVKs from Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts, whilst adding that School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS) will also participate along with farmers associated with the institution. In keeping with INTACH’s tradition of involving young minds, she informed that competitions for students of Classes 7 to 9, including on spot painting, poster-making and essay writing, would also be organised to raise awareness about rice cultivation and heritage.
She further noted that a major highlight of the festival will be the showcase of rice-based cuisines from different North Eastern states, adding that visitors will have the opportunity to taste and purchase wide range of traditional rice products, underscoring the versatility of rice in regional diets.
Yanger also informed that the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) will merge its Spring Festival with the Rice Festival and present cultural performances reflecting rice-related traditions from across the region.
Describing the initiative as a historic platform, Yanger said that since most indigenous festivals in the Northeast revolve around pre-harvest and post-harvest celebrations, she said that the festival offers an opportunity to collectively appreciate the richness of the region’s rice traditions.
Meanwhile, INTACH life member, Thangi Mannen, stressed the urgency of conserving indigenous rice varieties, many of which were gradually disappearing due to climate change and the increasing import of rice varieties not suited to local conditions.
“Our traditional rice varieties have adapted over generations to our soil and climate. But with changing environmental conditions, many are now under threat. Conservation of these grains is central to this festival” she said.
She later added that delegations from all North Eastern States, excluding Sikkim, have confirmed participation.
It was later informed that the festival would be inaugurated by Advisor for Agriculture, Mathung Yanthan.